An Assessment of the Level of Awareness and Knowledge Towards the Dangers of Climate Change and Energy Transition: Northern Nigeria as a Case Study

Abstract

Abstract Access to energy is a pressing issue in both developed and developing countries. To achieve socio-economic development, countries worldwide, including those in Africa, must carefully plan their energy transitions, considering the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches and learning from past experiences. In Nigeria, over 80% of the population in underdeveloped areas lacks access to energy, with cooking being the primary energy-consuming activity. As the oil-producing powerhouse of Africa, Nigeria is increasingly becoming a significant emitter of greenhouse gases, and without intervention, emissions are projected to rise dramatically by 2040. This study focuses on the status of energy transition and climate change awareness in the northern part of Nigeria. A research questionnaire was designed to gather responses related to our research questions, following a comprehensive literature review. The collected responses were analyzed to generate structured results. The findings indicate that the majority of participants (51%) fall within the 20-30 age bracket. Notably, 52% of respondents rely on firewood as their primary energy source, while gas usage (24%) is also relatively high but considerably lower than firewood. Encouragingly, our study reveals that 51.4% of respondents expressed a preference for switching from firewood to electric cookers as their home energy source, despite the significant investment required for power infrastructure and policy support. Overall, the results of this study contribute to addressing awareness gaps, framing communication strategies, and promoting public engagement in the campaign against climate change risks and the adoption of safer energy transitions.